Horse suspected to have been killed by fireworks (UK)

Thursday, 10 November 2011

Firweworks night is a wonderful celebration across the country and the fireworks themselves can bring great joy to all as they dash the night’s sky with beautiful colours and bright sparks. However, in the wrong hands they can lead to tragedy.

Fireworks have now been linked to the death of a horse in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, last month.

Duke, a 22-year-old Welsh cob, was found dead in his paddock with his rug ripped and shredded. It is now thought that a group of firework-wielding yobs may have had something to do with the horse’s death.

It was initially thought to have been a tragic accident, however, two days later the owners of Duke discovered that another one of their horses was in a distressed state.

The second horse, called Shamrock, was found to have been very nervous and he had a burnt and ripped rug.

The police have said that they believe the scorch marks suggest that fireworks may have played a part in the death.

An investigation has now begun into the two incidents, which took place in a field near Cedar Avenue, Stalybridge, on October 26th and 28th.

Chris, 51 and the owner of the two horses, told the Manchester Evening News that he and his wife had searched the field when they found Shamrock racing round in a panic.

He said: “At that point we rang the police who discovered firework wrappers and a burnt taper in the field. We’re absolutely devastated and angry.

"We had at first thought Duke could have got his rug caught and panicked – but this wasn’t in his nature and he had never done it before.

"As soon as we found Shamrock, we knew the same thing must have happened to Duke."

The couple had owned their precious Duke for 15 years and said his death had left them traumatised.

Julie, 48, also spoke to MEN saying: "Duke must have been desperate to get his rug off, he was literally frightened to death.

"I could see the fear in his face. He was fit and healthy – he shouldn’t be dead.

"I can’t understand why someone would do this. Our other four horses seem depressed. They know Duke is missing.

Sgt Steve Lovatt, of the Tameside east neighbourhood policing team, said: "At the moment we are keeping an open mind about the death of the horse.

"However, given the time of year and scorching on the other horse’s rug we are linking this to a firework incident.

"It is unclear whether it was deliberate or unintentional so would urge anyone with information to call us."